Most Washington residents have heard of the WASL and No Child Left Behind (NCLB). Both initiatives play a critical role in what is currently happening in Arlington public schools.

Students in the Arlington School District scored higher than the state average on most of the Washington Assessments of Student Learning (WASL) tests conducted last spring. Arlington students also improved their scores over the previous year.

Students in Arlington also performed very well in comparison with students from other districts in Snohomish County. Arlington students in eighth grade were the top performers in the county in the test assessing reading skills.

Despite these successes, six Arlington schools were listed as not making Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) under the terms of NCLB. The law requires that all students be tested annually in reading and math and that all schools and districts make "Adequate Yearly Progress" toward the ultimate goal of having every student meet academic standards on those tests by 2014.

AYP is measured by whether different subgroups are meeting certain performance targets in each subject area at each school. These subgroups are divided by ethnicity, students who receive special services and low income students, along with an "All" category.

According to No Child Left Behind, if the percentage of students meeting standards within just one of those subgroups falls short of the target, the entire school is identified as failing to meet Adequate Yearly Progress.

In the 2007-2008 school year, Arlington High School, Weston High School, Stillaguamish Valley School, Post Middle School, Haller Middle School and Eagle Creek Elementary did not make AYP.

However, while the NCLB report card is less than stellar, two Arlington schools have actually been recognized for outstanding achievements.

Post Middle School was named a School of Distinction for outstanding academic growth by the State Superintendent's office, one of 98 schools in the state.

"This award celebrates the real gains these schools have made, gains that aren't recognized by the federal No Child Left Behind law or its Adequate Yearly Progress calculations," said 2008 state superintendent Terry Bergeson.

Weston High School was rated in the top 10 highest performing alternative high schools in Washington. The 242 schools in the category were ranked according to WASL scores, graduation rates and teacher qualifications.

The federal law imposes sanctions on schools that accept federal funds through the Title I program and fall short of AYP in the same subject area two years in a row. Sanctions include Public School of Choice (the option for students to transfer to another school in the district not in "improvement" mode) and Supplemental Education Services (additional enrichment opportunities provided by an approved public or private service). None of the Arlington schools are currently subject to sanctins.

For more information about No Child Left Behind and the impact the law has had on Arlington Public Schools, visit the district Web site at www.asd.wednet.edu.